What We Can Take Away From Tragedy

By Mike Foster

Forty-nine people killed.  Fifty-two injured.  Headlines about the Orlando night club shooting filling America’s TV screens and radio stations.  And out of everything I heard or read, this statement caught my attention.

It said, “My heart isn’t broken, it’s more open now."

And that’s my prayer in the midst of this tragedy.

That through this loss and pain that our hearts can be opened for an even deeper, wider and stronger love for one another.  As we feel our grief, sadness, anger and disbelief, may it turn us towards a new level of love.

Call me a dreamer, unrealistic or a bleeding heart but thats how I believe hate and violence will be eventually stopped.  Not when we close ourselves off to the hurt in the world.  But when we allow our hearts to open so wide with this love that it swallows up the pride, prejudice and evil.

I like that verse in John 1:5 that says “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

It's true. This tragedy is dark.  It pure evil.  But we have hope and the Light Bringers have not, and will not, be overcome.

 Mike Foster is the founder of People of the Second Chance and the author of Wonderlife: A Not So Perfect Guide To Who You Are And Why You’re Here. He lives in San Diego with his family and fluffy dog.

Want to learn more about how to help people who are grieving?  Download “How To Help Hurting People."